JACKSON — A federal jury has ruled against a former Mississippi Highway Patrol trooper from Horn Lake who claimed in a lawsuit that his firing was racially motivated.

The Clarion-Ledger reports the jury verdict came down last week in U.S. District Court in Jackson.

The state had contended Michael McField of Horn Lake was fired because he violated multiple departmental policies and not because of his race.

McField was one of two black troopers who spoke publicly about alleged discrimination in the Highway Patrol. He was fired in July 2009 for alleged insubordination and unprofessional conduct.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recommended in May 2010 that McField get back wages from July 2009 and $50,000 in damages. Department of Public Commissioner Steve Simpson said he did not intend to reinstate McField. The agency was not bound by the EEOC finding.

McField had alleged he was transferred from DeSoto County to Holmes County in the spring of 2009 after the NAACP filed an EEOC complaint in January of that year alleging discrimination on behalf of all black troopers.

JACKSON

More than 500 cast provisional ballots

JACKSON — Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann says 513 Mississippians cast provisional ballots June 3 because they lacked proper identification, with at least 177 returning later to show identification and get votes counted.

Hosemann, who released the figures Wednesday, says Mississippi's first election with voter ID was a success, saying he saw no evidence anyone was turned away. Critics have feared an ID requirement would hurt minorities, the poor and older voters

Voters now must present a driver's license or other government-issued photo identification. A person without ID can vote by affidavit ballot, which will be counted if the person goes to an election clerk's office within five days to show identification.

A state constitutional amendment for voter ID was approved in 2011, with legislators putting the mandate into law in 2012.

SENATOBIA

NWCC sets student orientation sessions

New student orientation sessions have been scheduled during the coming summer months at Northwest Mississippi Community College.

Dates for sessions on the Senatobia, Southaven and Oxford campuses are July 8, 9, 15 and 16.

Sessions are open to students who have completed their admissions file, including submission of their application, high school and previously attended college transcripts and ACT scores. Students who are eligible to attend will receive postcards in the mail, said Meg Ross, director of the Student Development Center.

Each session will begin at 9 a.m. at Howard Coliseum on the Senatobia campus and at the Oxford campus, and at 1 p.m. at the DeSoto campus at DeSoto Center in Southaven.

During the session, students will be able to register for fall classes, ask about financial aid and housing, and tour the campus.